BA Development Studies: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Colleges, Fees, and Careers

BA Development Studies (Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies) is a 3 year UG course that focuses on blending theoretical knowledge with practical exposure through fieldwork, research projects, and policy analysis, helping students to gain in-depth knowledge and preparing them for roles in various organizations.

Students eligible to pursue a BA in Development Studies must have completed their 10+2, or equivalent education from a recognized board, with a minimum aggregate score, usually around 50%. The students must also appear for entrance exams like CUET UG and a personal interview round, if applicable.

A BA in Development Studies is offered across various colleges like the Tata Institute of Social Science and Vivekananda Global University, where the total course fee ranges from INR 1,99,400- 2,00,000.

A BA in Development Studies is associated with different jobs and careers in various fields. Job profiles in a BA in Development Studies include Policy Analyst, Social Worker / Community Officer, CSR Professional, Research Assistant, and Social Development Expert. The average salary graduates can earn after completing the B.A Development Studies is between INR 2-8 LPA.

BA Development Studies Key Highlights

Given below are some of the BA Development Studies key highlights:

What is a BA in Development Studies?

A BA in development studies is a three-year undergraduate course that focuses on exploring the complexities of social, economic, and political development in the context of global challenges like poverty and inequality. A BA in development studies is a multidisciplinary field comprising areas like economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, and other social sciences to help analyze and address various challenges that arise in the development process.

The course is a blend of theory and practical exposure with the help of fieldwork, research projects, and policy analysis. While pursuing a BA in development studies, students gain knowledge of various disciplines, which helps them to gain preparedness for careers in NGOs, government agencies, policy think tanks, and various international development organizations.

Why Study a BA in Development Studies?

A BA in Development Studies is a highly preferred program among students interested in contributing significantly towards global and local development; hence, it is offered in different colleges and universities in India. The reasons to opt for a BA in Development Studies are given below:

• The course is highly relevant in understanding global issues and challenges faced by countries and individuals in terms of development.
• It combines areas of study like economics, sociology, political science, environment, and public policy, and offers a holistic understanding of development in various contexts globally.
• The course is associated with various career opportunities like working with NGOs, international development agencies (like UNDP, World Bank), research institutions, CSR, and policy think tanks in various government organizations.
• After completing B.A in Development Studies, the students can opt for higher studies, pursue research, and appear for civil service examinations. The course offers a strong foundation for an M.Phil., PhD, or UPSC and state-level civil services.
• The course offers and lays an excellent foundation for research and analytical skills. The course enhances the ability of students to critically analyze social systems, evaluate policies, and conduct field-based and data-driven research.

Who should study for the BA Development Studies course?

Reasons, which include individuals who might be a good choice for pursuing a BA in Development Studies in different colleges in India, are mentioned below:

• The course is suitable for those who are passionate about improving the lives of marginalized communities and transforming society through policy and grassroots action. Thus, those who want to bring a social change and make a societal impact should choose to study a BA in developmental studies.
• It is a unique mix of various disciplines like sociology, economics, political science, anthropology, and related fields. Hence, the course is a perfect choice for those with a background in humanities, political science, or related fields.
• A BA in developmental studies offers opportunity to students the opportunity to prepare and appear for civil service examinations. Students aspiring to become civil servants, where the knowledge of development, governance, and social issues is useful and critical, should choose to pursue a BA in developmental studies.
• The course of a BA in developmental studies is also associated with a career in research and academics. Hence, the course is suitable for those interested in pursuing an academic career through M.Phil./PhD or research fellowships in development-related areas.
• Those students who want to opt for their higher education, like pursuing an MA in development studies, should choose to pursue a BA in development studies.

BA Development Studies Eligibility Criteria

To secure a seat in the top colleges and institutes in India for a BA Development Studies course, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be selected for further application and the admission process. The detailed eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

• A student must have completed his/her 10+2 (or equivalent) education from a recognized board, with a minimum aggregate score, usually around 50%
• The student must appear for the entrance exam, like CUET UG, and must apply for further counseling.
• Many colleges and universities may also conduct personal interview rounds as a part of the selection process.
• Students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories are often given relaxation during the admission process.

BA Development Studies Entrance Exams 2025

To secure a seat in the top colleges in the country for a BA in Development Studies, the student has to appear for various entrance examinations. The details about the entrance examination for pursuing a BA in Developmental Studies have been listed in the table below:

BA Development Studies Colleges in India

A BA in Development Studies is a three-year course opted for by students interested in the theory and practice of economic, social, political, and environmental development. Hence, it is offered by a few colleges and universities across India. Colleges offering this course are listed in the table below:

BA Development Studies Admission Process 2025

To secure a seat in the top colleges for the BA Development Studies course in India, the student must follow a few steps first. Initially, the student must meet the eligibility criteria of the course and then fill out the application form. The detailed procedure for securing a seat at the Tata Institute of Social Science is given below:

Step 1- The students must appear for the required entrance exam for a BA Development Studies course, which includes the CUET UG entrance exam.

Step 2- Interested students have to apply online on the official website, and then proceed with the filling of their personal and academic details.

Step 3- The students then need to upload all the relevant documents and proceed with the payment of the application fee.

Step 4- The students have to check the dates of the entrance exam and appear for the exam on the specified date.

Step 5- Once the students have appeared for their exams, they must check the website again for their results. Once the results are announced, they have to keep the scorecard and save it for future reference.

Step 6- The selected students will be informed by the college through mail and must appear for the personal interview round, if applicable.

Step 7- The final selected students will be required to submit their original documents and get them verified by the college.

Step 8-. The selected students will be required to confirm their admission by paying the admission fee.

Documents Required:

• 10th and 12th grade marksheet
• Identity proof such as an Aadhar card, PAN Card
• An entrance exaBAorecard
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Category certificate, if applicable
• Bank details
• Migration certificate
• Domicle certificate

BA Development Studies Syllabus

A BA in Development Studies is a 3-4 year full-time course offered across different colleges and universities in India. The subjects taught during the entire course at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences are mentioned below:

BA Development Studies Job Opportunities in India

Multiple job opportunities and careers are associated with a BA in Development Studies in India, which are mentioned below in the table:

BA Development Studies Vs BA Sociology Comparison

Below is a detailed comparison between a BA Development Studies and a B.A Sociology. Students who are unsure about which program to pursue can refer to the table to make an informed decision.

BA Development Studies FAQs